Electric Hot Water Systems

A form of energy which is used globally to heat water for many different uses. The highest used form of heating water is electricity; this is because where there is no access to gas or solar technology there will always be access to electricity.

Electric heating of water comes in various shapes and forms all dependent upon the demand placed upon this resource. There are instant electric hot water systems which can require the input of
three phase electricity to keep up the demand of power to these units and there are off peak water heaters which only create hot water during off peak periods where the electricity is supplied to the consumer at a cheaper rate hence the term off peak.

Depending on your situation there is an electric hot water system which can be tailored to meet your needs.

How does electricity create hot water?

Inside of your hot water tank there will be a minimum of 1 heating element and on the outside of the tank a minimum of 1 thermostat, combined these 2 items help create hot water. When the thermostat senses that the temperature of the water inside the tank has dropped below its set range it will allow electricity to flow through the heating element and heat the water.

Once the thermostat senses that the water inside the tank has reached its set temperature it then stops the flow of electricity to the heating element and the use of electricity then ceases. If your property is on an off peak tariff for heating hot water then this will only occur at period that is deemed off peak (usually late at night), where as other hot water services may be wired up to normal tariff and will therefore immediately upon the thermostat turning on (due to a temperature drop) start to allow the heating process of the water inside the tank, this is usually the case in high demand setups where the hot water is continually being used and frequently replenished with cold water ie: cafes, shopping centres and medical centres.

Where Can You Install?

Electric hot water services are extremely versatile in that they can be fitted underneath kitchens, below hair dressing wash sinks, inside laundries, outside in the weather or even inside roof spaces.

This type of heating for hot water does not have the same restrictions that other forms come with such as ventilation and location issues. Although the cost of running an electric hot water service is never going to be quite as efficient as a solar system but there is not always going to be the ability to use any other form of energy to heat water than electricity, that’s why you will find a lot of electric hot water systems in use throughout the world.